Milton strike late to punish wasteful Thame

Milton United left it late to snatch the only goal of the game and inflict a fifth defeat in seven on Thame United.

United were the stronger of the two sides in the opening quarter, with a Shannon Jesson drive after only two minutes well saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

The first controversial incident of the match arrived on 17 minutes when a cross from Ben Connelly was met by the head of Dan West, with his effort coming back off the bar before being forced over the line, only for the referee to penalise West for handball.

Thame continued to press forward and Dan Jones was unlucky with his 25-yard effort while Milton goalkeeper Griffiths denied Connelly and Jones as the first half ended goalless.

The second period started in a similar vein, with Andy Gledhill - who had replaced the injured Jones at half time - steering a header just over the bar on 51 minutes before West headed a Luke Ricketts cross wide as the home side pushed for the breakthrough.

Chances continued to come for Thame with Andy Gledhill’s effort somehow cleared off the line while Dan Pounds and West were both denied by the in-form Griffiths.

With 15 minutes to go, Milton started to sense that they could get something out of the game and the winning goal duly arrived on 85 minutes. United were unable to clear their lines and the ball fell to Connor Harris, who hit a powerful drive wide of Tapping and into the roof of the net.

United continued to press forward for an equaliser and in the final minute, West was bundled over in the box for what appeared a clear penalty, but it wasn’t United’s day as the referee waved away the protests.

Thame are down to seventh in the Hellenic Premier Division ahead of this weekend’s trip to Kidlington.